Asaram aide arrested for abetting crime

Jodhpur Police on Monday arrested a close aide of Asaram for abetment of crime.

Shiva - the personal care-taker of the self-styled spiritual preacher – had surrendered before police on Saturday after jumping summons for questioning on August 29 last and police was interrogating him for the past three days.

“During his interrogation it was revealed that Shiva had knowledge of everything related to the case, but he did not act,” DCP Ajay Pal Lamba told Hindustan Times, adding that he would be produced in court on Tuesday.

It was Shiva who had allegedly suggested to the parents of the victim to come to Jodhpur for meeting Asaram. According to police, Shiva had not only managed their entry into Manai ashram, where Asaram was based at that time, but also arranged their meeting with him.

He was named in the FIR filed by victim. The FIR also names the victim’s hostel warden Shilpi, who is also on the run after being summoned by police for questioning.

Asaram was remanded in judicial custody for 14 days by a Jodhpur court and has been lodged in the Jodhpur central jail.